Accumulation rates and sediment deposition in the Gökova Bay in Aegean Sea Turkish Coast

Sediment accumulation rates were estimated from the vertical distribution of excess 210Pb in sediment cores collected at six stations in the Gökova Bay near the heavily industrialized Turkish Coastal zone of the Aegean Sea. Total 210Pb was determined by measuring 210Po activities. The sediment accumulation rates were calculated to vary from 0.32±0.01 cm yr−1 (0.17±0.01 g cm−2 yr−1) to 1.92±0.20 cm yr−1 (1.13±0.10 g cm−2 yr−1). The unsupported 210Pb flux was calculated from the accumulated dry matter of the examined slices and their unsupported 210Pb concentrations. The flux of unsupported 210Pb varies between 62±5 and 105±8 Bq m−2 yr−1. The average depositional flux was found to be considerably higher for cores from the Mediterranean.